“Delhi Liquor Policy Scandal Leads to Arrests of Top Leaders: Updated List Released”
In a significant development, three prominent leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have been apprehended in connection with the ongoing Delhi liquor policy scandal. Among those arrested alongside Kejriwal are AAP MP Sanjay Singh and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia. Additionally, K Kavitha, a leader from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, has also been incarcerated in relation to the case.
The allegations revolve around the controversial Delhi liquor policy of 2021-22, which purportedly provided disproportionately high profit margins, particularly benefiting wholesalers and retailers. According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a substantial portion of these profits, amounting to 12%, was allegedly earmarked as kickbacks for AAP leaders, with 6% intended to be recovered from wholesalers. Moreover, the investigation has uncovered claims that a significant sum of ₹100 crore was advanced to Vijay Nair, an individual linked to the AAP, by a group known as the “South Group”.
Central to the inquiry is the purported involvement of an intricate network comprising middlemen, businessmen, and politicians, collectively referred to as the “South Group”. The ED has accused Manish Sisodia of modifying the liquor policy in favor of companies associated with the “South Group” without proper consultation, thereby facilitating undue benefits for these entities.
As the investigation progresses, authorities have identified 16 individuals deemed pivotal in the alleged money laundering activities associated with the formulation of the now-discredited Delhi liquor policy. Notably, some of the accused individuals have transitioned into cooperating witnesses, shedding light on the intricate web of corruption and illicit dealings that have come to characterize this high-profile case.
Author:- Apoorva Arora